🦌 Understanding Insurance, Recovery Options, and How to Protect Yourself

By Laurie Montoya, President of BikerDown Foundation

You can’t sue a deer — but you can protect yourself before you ever see one.

Few things make a rider’s heart drop like seeing a deer bolt into the road. It happens in seconds — the flash of movement, the instinctive brake or swerve — and then impact.

After the crash, the questions start. Who’s responsible? Is it better to hit the deer or avoid it? What will insurance cover? Let’s break it down so you know what to expect before it happens.

🦌 You Can’t Sue a Deer

As strange as it sounds, there’s no one to blame when wildlife causes your crash. Deer don’t carry insurance, and there’s no property owner to hold liable.

A collision with a deer is considered a comprehensive claim by most insurance companies — meaning it’s an act of nature, not a fault-based accident. That’s why having proper coverage matters long before that close encounter in the headlights.

🚑 Hit or Avoid? The Harsh Insurance Reality

Here’s a surprising truth: from an insurance standpoint, it’s often better to hit the deer than to swerve and wreck.

Hitting the deer – Classified as a comprehensive claim, typically not your fault. Lower deductibles and minimal premium impact.
Avoiding the deer (and crashing) – Considered a collision claim, often treated as at-fault, which can raise your rates.

Of course, no one chooses in that split second, but knowing how insurance classifies the crash helps you navigate what happens next.

🧾 The Coverage That Helps You Recover

Not all motorcycle insurance policies are created equal. To truly protect yourself, make sure your policy includes more than just liability.

Key Coverages Riders Should Have:

Comprehensive coverage – Pays for damage caused by “non-collision” events such as deer strikes, fire, or hail.
Collision coverage – Covers damage when you hit another vehicle, guardrail, or object.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) – Covers your injuries if another driver causes the accident and lacks coverage.
Medical Payments (MedPay) or Personal Injury Protection (PIP) – Helps cover medical bills regardless of fault.
Accessory coverage – Replaces helmets, jackets, and aftermarket parts after a crash.

Having the right combination of these coverages can make the difference between a short recovery and long-term financial hardship.

💰 BikerDown Roadside Plus + Aflac: Extra Protection for Riders

Even with great insurance, there’s always a gap between what’s covered and what life costs after a crash. That’s why programs like BikerDown’s Roadside Plus Membership exist — to fill that gap.

For just $37.50 per month, riders can get:

Nationwide roadside assistance
Accident scene support and advocacy
Aflac Accident Coverage, which pays cash benefits directly to you after a crash

That Aflac benefit can be a game-changer — cash that helps with lost wages, rent, physical therapy, or medical travel while you recover. It’s not reimbursement; it’s real money in your pocket when you need it most. To sign up for the BikerDown Membership, please click here.

“BikerDown’s Roadside Plus membership helps riders not just at the scene, but through recovery — with cash from Aflac to help bridge the gap.”

🐕 What If You Hit a Dog or Livestock?

Unlike deer, dogs, cows, and horses belong to someone, and their owners can be held legally responsible if those animals are on the road.

If you hit a pet or livestock animal, and it causes injury or damage, you may have a personal injury or property damage claim against the owner.

Most states have leash laws or fencing requirements, which means:

The animal’s owner’s homeowners insurance could pay for your damages.
Your own MedPay or collision coverage can still help right away.
If negligence (like an open gate or repeated escapes) can be proven, you may also recover pain and suffering or lost wages through a personal injury claim.

🏍️ Final Thoughts: Protect Yourself Before You Ride

Deer, dogs, and livestock all pose unpredictable dangers to riders. But preparation — through strong insurance, supplemental protection, and awareness — can soften the blow when the unexpected happens.

Before you hit the road this season:
✅ Review your comprehensive and MedPay coverage
✅ Consider BikerDown’s Roadside Plus membership with Aflac for added peace of mind
✅ Always ride alert, especially at dawn and dusk when wildlife is most active

You can’t sue a deer, but you can ride smart and prepare for the worst — because recovery starts long before the accident ever happens.

About the Author:
Laurie Montoya is the President of BikerDown Foundation and publisher of Motorcycle Rider News. BikerDown is a national non-profit supporting injured motorcycle riders with emotional, financial, and recovery assistance.